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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
A mediocre dystopian YA novel. It wanders aimlessly in the middle, trying to find a path. It starts similarly to Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy) but gets lost when it tries to weave in Mockingjay-esque government conflict. Fine for a Sunday if you have nothing else to read, but definitely not on my recommended list.
Faceoff!
Oh. My. God. This book was such an unexpected breath of fresh air. It's nice to find a book that you can easily envelop yourself with. Something that can consume your every thought and make you forget the world around you. That's what books are supposed to do. Drag you into a world of make-believe.
I had a hard time finding things that I didn't like about this book. I'm so excited to read the next installment. The two things that bothered me were:
1. The title of the novel and
2. The dyslexic character showing a lack of Dyslexic characteristics.
Read the rest of my review on my blog - Read it in Houston
This was okay. I guess I would really give it 2.5 stars. It was not a difficult read, but neither was it really original. I never really connected with the characters, figured out why I should care.
The two big "twists" fell flat...and while I see the world that the author is creating and I can see why she would start to sow the seeds of rebellion, we still know so little about the world outside the Hart Family complex and dynamics.
Kitty is "rescued" from a life as a III (low level worker with little or no prospect of comfortable life) when she is offered the chance to get the highest ranking possible, a VII, generally reserved only for the ruling family. But there is a catch...she is surgically altered to look like the family of the daughter who has "died" in a tragic skiing accident. She is to take her place, help stamp out the rebellion that is brewing, and then maybe she can keep her life and those she loves safe.
But does Kitty really want to do that? Or should she follow what her "mother" and "fiance" tell her, that Lila was really a voice of this rebellion and that she has to continue the work that Lila was doing. And that they can keep her boyfriend safe?
In the end, kitty follows her heart, doing this "her" way. The twists and turns I think are supposed to be surprising...**SPOILER ALERT***
there are other members of the family who have been replaced...Lila is really alive....her mother is the leader of the rebellion...her finance is also in the rebellion....her cousin whom they are all trying to protect knows a lot more than they they all thought...
These are not really all that surprising, you can see them coming a mile away. The writing is okay, not griping/page turning/can't put down, but not that you can't stand to read it because the writing is horrific.
Over all, it was an okay story, that was written well enough. But on the whole it is not overly original, the characters are not so endearing that you are rooting for one side or the other, or even really care which side comes out ahead. It's not a difficult read, it goes quickly and it is enjoyable enough, but not one I am likely to run out and read when the following books come out. I may pick them up at the library if I see them, or need something light, quick and easy to read.
The two big "twists" fell flat...and while I see the world that the author is creating and I can see why she would start to sow the seeds of rebellion, we still know so little about the world outside the Hart Family complex and dynamics.
Kitty is "rescued" from a life as a III (low level worker with little or no prospect of comfortable life) when she is offered the chance to get the highest ranking possible, a VII, generally reserved only for the ruling family. But there is a catch...she is surgically altered to look like the family of the daughter who has "died" in a tragic skiing accident. She is to take her place, help stamp out the rebellion that is brewing, and then maybe she can keep her life and those she loves safe.
But does Kitty really want to do that? Or should she follow what her "mother" and "fiance" tell her, that Lila was really a voice of this rebellion and that she has to continue the work that Lila was doing. And that they can keep her boyfriend safe?
In the end, kitty follows her heart, doing this "her" way. The twists and turns I think are supposed to be surprising...**SPOILER ALERT***
there are other members of the family who have been replaced...Lila is really alive....her mother is the leader of the rebellion...her finance is also in the rebellion....her cousin whom they are all trying to protect knows a lot more than they they all thought...
These are not really all that surprising, you can see them coming a mile away. The writing is okay, not griping/page turning/can't put down, but not that you can't stand to read it because the writing is horrific.
Over all, it was an okay story, that was written well enough. But on the whole it is not overly original, the characters are not so endearing that you are rooting for one side or the other, or even really care which side comes out ahead. It's not a difficult read, it goes quickly and it is enjoyable enough, but not one I am likely to run out and read when the following books come out. I may pick them up at the library if I see them, or need something light, quick and easy to read.
Pawn is everything I wanted it to be. Fast pace, a fresh idea, and a simple- but not overwhelming- love story. There were rarely any dull moments. The 'villains' of the story weren't to overwhelmingly evil. They were manipulative, corrupted, and deceitful. Those are the best times, in my opinion. Where the subtle things that they do make them evil, not their whole being.
Do not let the sub-genre of this book deter you away from it. It's not fluffy, there's no love triangle, and there are no whiny or weak characters that make you want to bash your head in at every dumb mistake they make. Kitty thinks everything out, weighing her options, and choosing the best one for her personal motives. It's nice not having a character that rushes into situations without thinking anything through.
Kitty is a strong character, who knows what she wants. She's not afraid to what's necessary to save the people she loves. She wants Bengy, and she's going to do whatever it takes to keep him safe. A test on her seventeenth birthday determines that she's a III, the lower-end of the population. A test ranks individuals from one (low) to a six (very high), with seven being only Harts, the 'royal' family.
The whole system is created to give everyone a fair shot at a good life, and that if one works hard enough, they will be able to live that great life. As with everything, it's not quite as good as it seems.
I didn't really have any complaints with this book, and if I did while reading them, I don't remember what they were. I am not a big dystopian fan. Most of the ones that I have read have all pretty much been in the OK area. It makes me want to read The Goddess Test even more than I did already =)
This gook was provided via Netgalley for review.
Do not let the sub-genre of this book deter you away from it. It's not fluffy, there's no love triangle, and there are no whiny or weak characters that make you want to bash your head in at every dumb mistake they make. Kitty thinks everything out, weighing her options, and choosing the best one for her personal motives. It's nice not having a character that rushes into situations without thinking anything through.
Kitty is a strong character, who knows what she wants. She's not afraid to what's necessary to save the people she loves. She wants Bengy, and she's going to do whatever it takes to keep him safe. A test on her seventeenth birthday determines that she's a III, the lower-end of the population. A test ranks individuals from one (low) to a six (very high), with seven being only Harts, the 'royal' family.
The whole system is created to give everyone a fair shot at a good life, and that if one works hard enough, they will be able to live that great life. As with everything, it's not quite as good as it seems.
I didn't really have any complaints with this book, and if I did while reading them, I don't remember what they were. I am not a big dystopian fan. Most of the ones that I have read have all pretty much been in the OK area. It makes me want to read The Goddess Test even more than I did already =)
This gook was provided via Netgalley for review.
Very boring. Nothing exciting, should have been so much better. Definitely disappointed. Don't waste your time.
“I would know something was missing. I would know my life was pointless, even if I never understood why. Even if we'd never met, even if you never existed, I would still love you beyond all reason for the rest of my life.”
Great book. I couldn't put it down really looking forward to reading the sequel
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’ve always been fascinated by dystopian books, and Pawn did a great job of pulling me into its world of rigid social hierarchy. The premise of people being ranked by their social value is an old concept in dystopian fiction, dating back centuries—some argue even to the time of the French Revolution, when literature began exploring the tensions between government power and individual freedom. Aimee Carter taps into these classic themes but brings a fresh political spin with her character, Kitty Doe, whose journey from being a pawn in a political game to something more kept me hooked. The audiobook narration, while good, didn’t stand out as particularly exceptional, but the tight plotting made this a strong start to the series.
Wow the Hart family is SUPER messed up. What with Augusta basically having killed or at least having tried to killer her whole family. Celia all messed up from her husbands and daughters deaths. So many people being 'masked' that even the family doesn't know who's actually dead. It was definitely worth the read. :)
Edit: I still agree that the Hart family is really messed up. The grandmother is hiding that her son is dead and she thinks no one knows. But the one she least wants to know knows.
The daughter (Celia) thinks her daughter is dead but she isn't. She is playing dead and Knox is helping her.
Lila knows that her uncle is masked but only she the grandmother, and the grandson know.
Celia is trying to kill the masked brother but doesn't know he isn't her real brother.
Poor Greyson is caught in the middle knowing a lot but not enough.
Meanwhile poor Kitty is being used in their homicidal fanatical ploys to run the country and kill each other. She has lost her foster mom and her foster sister and is always on the edge of losing her true love.
Knox is deep undercover and is always kissing her and keeping secrets from her.
Poor Greyson knew who she was almost from the start and has to pretend her doesn't just like with his father.
Benjy is the only one who doesn't know till about 3/4 into the book.
Lila is a bit of a bitch and a coward but I do feel for her.
Poor Tabs got murdered and I feel bad for both her and Nina.
I still can't believe what Elsewhere is BTW. :(
This was one messed up book but I can't wait to start the next one!
Edit: I still agree that the Hart family is really messed up. The grandmother is hiding that her son is dead and she thinks no one knows. But the one she least wants to know knows.
The daughter (Celia) thinks her daughter is dead but she isn't. She is playing dead and Knox is helping her.
Lila knows that her uncle is masked but only she the grandmother, and the grandson know.
Celia is trying to kill the masked brother but doesn't know he isn't her real brother.
Poor Greyson is caught in the middle knowing a lot but not enough.
Meanwhile poor Kitty is being used in their homicidal fanatical ploys to run the country and kill each other. She has lost her foster mom and her foster sister and is always on the edge of losing her true love.
Knox is deep undercover and is always kissing her and keeping secrets from her.
Poor Greyson knew who she was almost from the start and has to pretend her doesn't just like with his father.
Benjy is the only one who doesn't know till about 3/4 into the book.
Lila is a bit of a bitch and a coward but I do feel for her.
Poor Tabs got murdered and I feel bad for both her and Nina.
I still can't believe what Elsewhere is BTW. :(
This was one messed up book but I can't wait to start the next one!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated